Health fair to be held Saturday in St. Charles

Nearly 25 local agencies will be on hand with free health screenings and information at the Tri-City Health Partnership health fair from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Salvation Army, 1710 S. Seventh Ave., St. Charles.

The fair will offer free screening for high blood pressure, glucose, depression and osteoporosis. There will be confidential screening for HIV, and free kits for screening for colorectal cancer will be available to take home. Flu and pneumonia shots will be available for a fee. Medicare will be accepted.

Shannon Watson, executive director of the Tri-City Health Partnership, said that more than 300 people attended the health fair last year, and the numbers grow every year. This is the fourth year.

"We love hosting this health fair," Watson said. "To have so many people in the same room creates a great resource for the community. We meet each other, and the community can find out what's available."

The Tri-City Health Partnership runs a free clinic in St. Charles for those who are uninsured or underinsured, and provides referrals.

Watson says that knowing where to go for services is extremely important, especially for individuals and families with limited resources.

"You have to be tenacious about your own health care," she said.

She gave the example of receiving a call from a man who said he needed HIV screening. She was able to tell him about the fair.

Among the agencies that will be represented are the American Cancer Society, Aunt Martha's Health Clinics, Delnor-Community Hospital and Fox Valley Hospice. The Crisis Pregnancy Center and Suicide Prevention will be represented at the health fair for the first time. A physical therapist will demonstrate how to do strengthening exercises. You do not need to be a resident of St. Charles to attend.

For details, call (630) 377-9277.